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Santos TADO, Soares LW, Oliveira LN, Moraes D, Mendes MS, Soares CMDA, Bailão AM, Bailão MGS. Zinc Starvation Induces Cell Wall Remodeling and Activates the Antioxidant Defense System in Fonsecaea pedrosoi. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:118. [PMID: 38392790 PMCID: PMC10890210 DOI: 10.3390/jof10020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The survival of pathogenic fungi in the host after invasion depends on their ability to obtain nutrients, which include the transition metal zinc. This essential micronutrient is required to maintain the structure and function of various proteins and, therefore, plays a critical role in various biological processes. The host's nutritional immunity limits the availability of zinc to pathogenic fungi mainly by the action of calprotectin, a component of neutrophil extracellular traps. Here we investigated the adaptive responses of Fonsecaea pedrosoi to zinc-limiting conditions. This black fungus is the main etiological agent of chromoblastomycosis, a chronic neglected tropical disease that affects subcutaneous tissues. Following exposure to a zinc-limited environment, F. pedrosoi induces a high-affinity zinc uptake machinery, composed of zinc transporters and the zincophore Pra1. A proteomic approach was used to define proteins regulated by zinc deprivation. Cell wall remodeling, changes in neutral lipids homeostasis, and activation of the antioxidant system were the main strategies for survival in the hostile environment. Furthermore, the downregulation of enzymes required for sulfate assimilation was evident. Together, the adaptive responses allow fungal growth and development and reveals molecules that may be related to fungal persistence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Weba Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Lucas Nojosa Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Dayane Moraes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Millena Silva Mendes
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Célia Maria de Almeida Soares
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
| | - Mirelle Garcia Silva Bailão
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, GO, Brazil
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Potenciano da Silva KL, Moraes D, Lechner B, Lindner H, Haas H, Almeida Soares CM, Silva-Bailão MG, Bailão AM. Fonsecaea pedrosoi produces ferricrocin and can utilize different host iron sources. Fungal Biol 2023; 127:1512-1523. [PMID: 38097325 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The survival of living organisms depends on iron, one of the most abundant metals in the Earth's crust. Nevertheless, this micronutrient is poorly available in our aerobic atmosphere as well as inside the mammalian host. This problem is circumvented by the expression of high affinity iron uptake machineries, including the production of siderophores, in pathogenic fungi. Here we demonstrated that F. pedrosoi, the causative agent of the neglected tropical disease chromoblastomycosis, presents gene clusters for siderophore production. In addition, ten putative siderophore transporters were identified. Those genes are upregulated under iron starvation, a condition that induces the secretion of hydroxamates, as revealed by chrome azurol S assays. RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis allowed the identification of ferricrocin as an intra- and extracellular siderophore. F. pedrosoi can grow in different iron sources, including the bacterial ferrioxamine B and the host proteins ferritin, hemoglobin and holotransferrin. Of note, addition of hemoglobin, lactoferrin and holotransferrin to the growth medium of macrophages infected with F. pedrosoi enhanced significantly fungal survival. The ability to produce siderophores in iron limited conditions added to the versatility to utilize different sources of iron are strategies that certainly may contribute to fungal survival inside the host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dayane Moraes
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
| | - Beatrix Lechner
- Institute of Molecular Biology/ Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Herbert Lindner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology/ Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | | | | | - Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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3
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Bailão AM, Silva KLPD, Moraes D, Lechner B, Lindner H, Haas H, Soares CMA, Silva-Bailão MG. Iron Starvation Induces Ferricrocin Production and the Reductive Iron Acquisition System in the Chromoblastomycosis Agent Cladophialophora carrionii. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:727. [PMID: 37504717 PMCID: PMC10382037 DOI: 10.3390/jof9070727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is a micronutrient required by almost all living organisms. Despite being essential, the availability of this metal is low in aerobic environments. Additionally, mammalian hosts evolved strategies to restrict iron from invading microorganisms. In this scenario, the survival of pathogenic fungi depends on high-affinity iron uptake mechanisms. Here, we show that the production of siderophores and the reductive iron acquisition system (RIA) are employed by Cladophialophora carrionii under iron restriction. This black fungus is one of the causative agents of chromoblastomycosis, a neglected subcutaneous tropical disease. Siderophore biosynthesis genes are arranged in clusters and, interestingly, two RIA systems are present in the genome. Orthologs of putative siderophore transporters were identified as well. Iron starvation regulates the expression of genes related to both siderophore production and RIA systems, as well as of two transcription factors that regulate iron homeostasis in fungi. A chrome azurol S assay demonstrated the secretion of hydroxamate-type siderophores, which were further identified via RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry as ferricrocin. An analysis of cell extracts also revealed ferricrocin as an intracellular siderophore. The presence of active high-affinity iron acquisition systems may surely contribute to fungal survival during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Melo Bailão
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | | | - Dayane Moraes
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil
| | - Beatrix Lechner
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 795J+RF Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Lindner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 795J+RF Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubertus Haas
- Institute of Molecular Biology/Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, 795J+RF Innsbruck, Austria
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4
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Jia G, Hu J, Tan L, Li L, Gao L, Sun Y. In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Synergistic Effects of Everolimus in Combination with Antifungal Agents on Exophiala dermatitidis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0530222. [PMID: 37140396 PMCID: PMC10269510 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05302-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
To investigate the combined function of the novel oral mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, with antifungal agents and their potential mechanisms against Exophiala dermatitidis, the CLSI microliquid-based dilution method M38-A2, chequerboard technique, and disk diffusion testing were performed. The efficacy of everolimus was evaluated in combination with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B against 16 clinically isolated strains of E. dermatitidis. The synergistic effect was determined by measuring the MIC and fractional inhibitory concentration index. Dihydrorhodamine 123 was used for the quantification of ROS levels. The differences in the expression of antifungal susceptibility-associated genes were analyzed following different types of treatment. Galleria mellonella was used as the in vivo model. While everolimus alone showed minimal antifungal effects, combinations with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, or amphotericin B resulted in synergy in 13/16 (81.25%), 2/16 (12.5%), 14/16 (87.75%), and 5/16 (31.25%) of isolates, respectively. The disk diffusion assay revealed that the combination of everolimus and antifungal drugs showed no significant increase in the inhibition zones compared with the single agent, but no antagonistic effects were observed. Combination of everolimus and antifungal agents resulted in increased ROS activity (everolimus + posaconazole versus posaconazole [P < 0.05], everolimus + amphotericin B versus amphotericin B [P < 0.002]). Simultaneously, compared to mono-treatment, the combination of everolimus + itraconazole suppressed the expression of MDR2 (P < 0.05) and the combination of everolimus + amphotericin B suppressed the expression of MDR3 (P < 0.05) and CDR1B (P < 0.02). In vivo, combinations of everolimus and antifungal agents improved survival rates, particularly the combination of everolimus + amphotericin B (P < 0.05). In summary, the in vivo and in vitro experiments performed in our study suggest that the combination of everolimus with azoles or amphotericin B can have synergistic effects against E. dermatitidis, potentially due to the induction of ROS activity and inhibition of efflux pumps, providing a promising new approach for the treatment of E. dermatitidis infections. IMPORTANCE Cancer patients with E. dermatitidis infection have high mortality if untreated. Clinically, the conventional treatment of E. dermatitidis is poor due to the long-term use of antifungal drugs. In this study, we have for the first time investigated the interaction and action mechanism of everolimus combined with itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B on E. dermatitidis in vitro and in vivo, which provided new ideas and direction for further exploring the mechanism of drug combination and clinical treatment of E. dermatitidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengpei Jia
- Department of General Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lihua Tan
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
| | - Longting Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
| | - Lujuan Gao
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Xiamen Clinical Research Center for Cancer Therapy, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei Province, China
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5
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Usuda D, Higashikawa T, Hotchi Y, Usami K, Shimozawa S, Tokunaga S, Osugi I, Katou R, Ito S, Yoshizawa T, Asako S, Mishima K, Kondo A, Mizuno K, Takami H, Komatsu T, Oba J, Nomura T, Sugita M. Exophiala dermatitidis. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:7963-7972. [PMID: 34621853 PMCID: PMC8462220 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i27.7963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Exophiala is a genus comprising several species of opportunistic black yeasts, which belongs to Ascomycotina. It is a rare cause of fungal infections. However, infections are often chronic and recalcitrant, and while the number of cases is steadily increasing in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent people, detailed knowledge remains scarce regarding infection mechanisms, virulence factors, specific predisposing factors, risk factors, and host response. The most common manifestations of Exophiala infection are skin infections, and the most frequent type of deep infection is pulmonary infection due to inhalation. The invasive disease ranges from cutaneous or subcutaneous infection to systemic dissemination to internal organs. The final identification of the causative organism should be achieved through a combination of several methods, including the newly introduced diagnostic analysis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, together with sequencing of the ribosomal ribonucleic acid internal transcribed spacer region of the fungi, and histological and culture findings. Regarding treatment, because anti-infective agents and natural compounds exhibited poor antibiofilm activity, few treatments have ultimately been found to be effective for specific antifungal therapy, so the optimal antifungal therapy and duration of therapy for these infections remain unknown. Therefore, most forms of disease caused by Exophiala dermatitidis require aggressive combination therapies: Both surgical intervention and aggressive antifungal therapy with novel compounds and azoles are necessary for effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Usuda
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Higashikawa
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University Himi Municipal Hospital, Himi-shi 935-8531, Toyama-ken, Japan
| | - Yuta Hotchi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenki Usami
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shintaro Shimozawa
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shungo Tokunaga
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ippei Osugi
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Risa Katou
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakurako Ito
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Yoshizawa
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Asako
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Mishima
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Kondo
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Mizuno
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Takami
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Komatsu
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jiro Oba
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Nomura
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Sugita
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, Nerima-ku 177-8521, Tokyo, Japan
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6
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Boero E, Mnich ME, Manetti AGO, Soldaini E, Grimaldi L, Bagnoli F. Human Three-Dimensional Models for Studying Skin Pathogens. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2021; 430:3-27. [PMID: 32601967 DOI: 10.1007/82_2020_219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Skin is the most exposed surface of the human body, separating the microbe-rich external environment, from the sterile inner part. When skin is breached or its homeostasis is perturbed, bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens can cause local infections or use the skin as an entry site to spread to other organs. In the last decades, it has become clear that skin provides niches for permanent microbial colonization, and it actively interacts with microorganisms. This crosstalk promotes skin homeostasis and immune maturation, preventing expansion of harmful organisms. Skin commensals, however, are often found to be skin most prevalent and dangerous pathogens. Despite the medical interest, mechanisms of colonization and invasion for most skin pathogens are poorly understood. This limitation is due to the lack of reliable skin models. Indeed, animal models do not adequately mimic neither the anatomy nor the immune response of human skin. Human 3D skin models overcome these limitations and can provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. Herein, we address the strengths and weaknesses of different types of human skin models and we review the main findings obtained using these models to study skin pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Luca Grimaldi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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7
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Active neutrophil responses counteract Candida albicans burn wound infection of ex vivo human skin explants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21818. [PMID: 33311597 PMCID: PMC7732850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Burn wounds are highly susceptible sites for colonization and infection by bacteria and fungi. Large wound surface, impaired local immunity, and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy support growth of opportunistic fungi such as Candida albicans, which may lead to invasive candidiasis. Currently, it remains unknown whether depressed host defenses or fungal virulence drive the progression of burn wound candidiasis. Here we established an ex vivo burn wound model, where wounds were inflicted by applying preheated soldering iron to human skin explants, resulting in highly reproducible deep second-degree burn wounds. Eschar removal by debridement allowed for deeper C. albicans penetration into the burned tissue associated with prominent filamentation. Active migration of resident tissue neutrophils towards the damaged tissue and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β accompanied the burn. The neutrophil recruitment was further increased upon supplementation of the model with fresh immune cells. Wound area and depth decreased over time, indicating healing of the damaged tissue. Importantly, prominent neutrophil presence at the infected site correlated to the limited penetration of C. albicans into the burned tissue. Altogether, we established a reproducible burn wound model of candidiasis using ex vivo human skin explants, where immune responses actively control the progression of infection and promote tissue healing.
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8
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Tesei D, Quartinello F, Guebitz GM, Ribitsch D, Nöbauer K, Razzazi-Fazeli E, Sterflinger K. Shotgun proteomics reveals putative polyesterases in the secretome of the rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia chersonesos. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9770. [PMID: 32555357 PMCID: PMC7299934 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66256-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Knufia chersonesos is an ascomycotal representative of black fungi, a morphological group of polyextremotolerant melanotic fungi, whose ability to resort to recalcitrant carbon sources makes it an interesting candidate for degradation purposes. A secretome screening towards polyesterases was carried out for the fungus and its non-melanized mutant, grown in presence of the synthetic copolyester Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) as additional or sole carbon source, and resulted in the identification of 37 esterolytic and lipolytic enzymes across the established cultivation conditions. Quantitative proteomics allowed to unveil 9 proteins being constitutively expressed at all conditions and 7 which were instead detected as up-regulated by PBAT exposure. Protein functional analysis and structure prediction indicated similarity of these enzymes to microbial polyesterases of known biotechnological use such as MHETase from Ideonella sakaiensis and CalA from Candida albicans. For both strains, PBAT hydrolysis was recorded at all cultivation conditions and primarily the corresponding monomers were released, which suggests degradation to the polymer's smallest building block. The work presented here aims to demonstrate how investigations of the secretome can provide new insights into the eco-physiology of polymer degrading fungi and ultimately aid the identification of novel enzymes with potential application in polymer processing, recycling and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Tesei
- Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Felice Quartinello
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Georg M Guebitz
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Doris Ribitsch
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln, Austria
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Katharina Nöbauer
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ebrahim Razzazi-Fazeli
- VetCore Facility for Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Schroeder WL, Harris SD, Saha R. Computation-Driven Analysis of Model Polyextremo-tolerant Fungus Exophiala dermatitidis: Defensive Pigment Metabolic Costs and Human Applications. iScience 2020; 23:100980. [PMID: 32240950 PMCID: PMC7115120 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The polyextremotolerant black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is a tractable model system for investigation of adaptations that support growth under extreme conditions. Foremost among these adaptations are melanogenesis and carotenogenesis. A particularly important question is their metabolic production cost. However, investigation of this issue has been hindered by a relatively poor systems-level understanding of E. dermatitidis metabolism. To address this challenge, a genome-scale model (iEde2091) was developed. Using iEde2091, carotenoids were found to be more expensive to produce than melanins. Given their overlapping protective functions, this suggests that carotenoids have an underexplored yet important role in photo-protection. Furthermore, multiple defensive pigments with overlapping functions might allow E. dermatitidis to minimize cost. Because iEde2091 revealed that E. dermatitidis synthesizes the same melanins as humans and the active sites of the key tyrosinase enzyme are highly conserved this model may enable a broader understanding of melanin production across kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wheaton L Schroeder
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Steven D Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Rajib Saha
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
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10
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The role of melanins in melanotic fungi for pathogenesis and environmental survival. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:4247-4257. [PMID: 32206837 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanins provide fungi protection from environmental stressors, support their ecological roles, and can confer virulence in pathogens. While the function, structure, and synthesis of melanins in fungi are not fully understood, they have been shown to have varied roles. Recent research has revealed a wide range of functions, from radiation resistance to increasing virulence, shedding light on fungal diversity. Understanding fungal melanins can provide useful information, from harnessing the properties of these various melanins to targeting fungal infections.Key Points• Melanotic fungi are widespread in nature. • Melanin functions to protect fungi in the environment from a range of stresses. • Melanin contributes to pathogenesis and drug resistance of pathogenic fungi.
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11
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Maciel Quatrin P, Flores Dalla Lana D, Andrzejewski Kaminski TF, Meneghello Fuentefria A. Fungal infection models: Current progress of
ex vivo
methods. Mycoses 2019; 62:860-873. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Maciel Quatrin
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
| | - Daiane Flores Dalla Lana
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Meneghello Fuentefria
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Microbiologia Agrícola e do Ambiente Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
- Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre Brazil
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12
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Corzo-León DE, Munro CA, MacCallum DM. An ex vivo Human Skin Model to Study Superficial Fungal Infections. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1172. [PMID: 31231322 PMCID: PMC6560176 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human skin fungal infections (SFIs) affect 25% of the world's population. Most of these infections are superficial. The main limitation of current animal models of human superficial SFIs is that clinical presentation is different between the different species and animal models do not accurately reflect the human skin environment. An ex vivo human skin model was therefore developed and standardised to accurately model SFIs. In this manuscript, we report our protocol for setting up ex vivo human skin infections and report results from a primary superficial skin infection with Trichophyton rubrum, an anthropophilic fungus. The protocol includes a detailed description of the methodology to prepare the skin explants, establish infection, avoid contamination, and obtain high quality samples for further downstream analyses. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), histology and fluorescent microscopy were applied to evaluate skin cell viability and fungal morphology. Furthermore, we describe a broad range of assays, such as RNA extraction and qRT-PCR for human gene expression, and protein extraction from tissue and supernatants for proteomic analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Non-infected skin was viable after 14 days of incubation, expressed genes and contained proteins associated with proliferative, immune and differentiation functions. The macroscopic damage caused by T. rubrum had a similar appearance to the one expected in clinical settings. Finally, using this model, the host response to T. rubrum infection can be evaluated at different levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Donna M. MacCallum
- MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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13
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Tafer H, Poyntner C, Lopandic K, Sterflinger K, Piñar G. Back to the Salt Mines: Genome and Transcriptome Comparisons of the Halophilic Fungus Aspergillus salisburgensis and Its Halotolerant Relative Aspergillus sclerotialis. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10050381. [PMID: 31137536 PMCID: PMC6563132 DOI: 10.3390/genes10050381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Salt mines are among the most extreme environments as they combine darkness, low nutrient availability, and hypersaline conditions. Based on comparative genomics and transcriptomics, we describe in this work the adaptive strategies of the true halophilic fungus Aspergillus salisburgensis, found in a salt mine in Austria, and compare this strain to the ex-type halotolerant fungal strain Aspergillus sclerotialis. On a genomic level, A. salisburgensis exhibits a reduced genome size compared to A. sclerotialis, as well as a contraction of genes involved in transport processes. The proteome of A. sclerotialis exhibits an increased proportion of alanine, glycine, and proline compared to the proteome of non-halophilic species. Transcriptome analyses of both strains growing at 5% and 20% NaCl show that A. salisburgensis regulates three-times fewer genes than A. sclerotialis in order to adapt to the higher salt concentration. In A. sclerotialis, the increased osmotic stress impacted processes related to translation, transcription, transport, and energy. In contrast, membrane-related and lignolytic proteins were significantly affected in A. salisburgensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakim Tafer
- VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Caroline Poyntner
- VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ksenija Lopandic
- VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Guadalupe Piñar
- VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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14
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Kirchhoff L, Olsowski M, Rath PM, Steinmann J. Exophiala dermatitidis: Key issues of an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Virulence 2019; 10:984-998. [PMID: 30887863 PMCID: PMC8647849 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1596504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is an opportunistic pathogen, causing phaeohyphomycosis in immunosuppressed patients, chromoblastomycosis and fatal infections of the central nervous system in otherwise healthy Asian patients. In addition, it is also regularly isolated from respiratory samples from cystic fibrosis patients, with rates varying between 1% and 19%.Melanin, as part of the cell wall of black yeasts, is one major factor known contributing to the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis and increased resistance against host defense and anti-infective therapeutics. Further virulence factors, e.g. the capability to adhere to surfaces and to form biofilm were reported. A better understanding of the pathogenicity of E. dermatitidis is essential for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. In this review, the current knowledge of E. dermatitidis prevalence, clinical importance, diagnosis, microbiological characteristics, virulence attributes, susceptibility, and resistances as well as therapeutically strategies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Kirchhoff
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maike Olsowski
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter-Michael Rath
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joerg Steinmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Center of Excellence in Clinical and Laboratory Mycology and Clinical Studies, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Hygiene, Medical Microbiology and Infectiology, Klinikum Nürnberg, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
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15
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Moreno LF, Vicente VA, de Hoog S. Black yeasts in the omics era: Achievements and challenges. Med Mycol 2018. [PMID: 29538737 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myx129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Black yeasts (BY) comprise a group of polyextremotolerant fungi, mainly belonging to the order Chaetothyriales, which are capable of colonizing a wide range of extreme environments. The tolerance to hostile habitats can be explained by their intrinsic ability to survive under acidic, alkaline, and toxic conditions, high temperature, low nutrient availability, and osmotic and mechanical stress. Occasionally, some species can cause human chromoblastomycosis, a chronic subcutaneous infection, as well as disseminated or cerebral phaeohyphomycosis. Three years after the release of the first black yeast genome, the number of projects for sequencing these organisms has significantly increased. Over 37 genomes of important opportunistic and saprobic black yeasts and relatives are now available in different databases. The whole-genome sequencing, as well as the analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs and the determination of protein expression profiles generated an unprecedented amount of data, requiring the development of a curated repository to provide easy accesses to this information. In the present article, we review various aspects of the impact of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics on black yeast studies. We discuss recent key findings achieved by the use of these technologies and further directions for medical mycology in this area. An important vehicle is the Working Groups on Black Yeasts and Chromoblastomycosis, under the umbrella of ISHAM, which unite the clinicians and a highly diverse population of fundamental scientists to exchange data for joint publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Ferreira Moreno
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Sybren de Hoog
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná State, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.,Center of Expertise in Mycology of Radboudumc / CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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16
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Poyntner C, Mirastschijski U, Sterflinger K, Tafer H. Transcriptome Study of an Exophiala dermatitidis PKS1 Mutant on an ex Vivo Skin Model: Is Melanin Important for Infection? Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1457. [PMID: 30018609 PMCID: PMC6037837 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is a polyextremophilic human pathogen, especially known for growing in man-made extreme environments. Reported diseases caused by this fungus range from benign cutaneous to systemic infections with 40% fatality rate. While the number of cases steadily increases in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent people, detailed knowledge about infection mechanisms, virulence factors and host response are scarce. To understand the impact of the putative virulence factor melanin on the infection, we generated a polyketide synthase (PKS1) mutant using CRISPR/Cas9 resulting in a melanin deficient strain. The mutant and the wild-type fungus were inoculated onto skin explants using an ex vivo skin organ culture model to simulate in vivo cutaneous infection. The difference between the mutant and wild-type transcriptional landscapes, as assessed by whole RNA-sequencing, were small and were observed in pathways related to the copper homeostasis, cell wall genes and proteases. Seven days after inoculation the wild-type fungus completely colonized the stratum corneum, invaded the skin and infected keratinocytes while the mutant had only partially covered the skin and showed no invasiveness. Our results suggest that melanin dramatically improves the invasiveness and virulence of E. dermatitidis during the first days of the skin infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Poyntner
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Mirastschijski
- Wound Repair Unit, Center for Biomolecular Interactions Bremen, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.,Division of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Rotkreuzklinikum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hakim Tafer
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT EQ Extremophile Center, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Garcia Silva-Bailão M, Lobato Potenciano da Silva K, Raniere Borges dos Anjos L, de Sousa Lima P, de Melo Teixeira M, Maria de Almeida Soares C, Melo Bailão A. Mechanisms of copper and zinc homeostasis in pathogenic black fungi. Fungal Biol 2018; 122:526-537. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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18
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Zupančič J, Raghupathi PK, Houf K, Burmølle M, Sørensen SJ, Gunde-Cimerman N. Synergistic Interactions in Microbial Biofilms Facilitate the Establishment of Opportunistic Pathogenic Fungi in Household Dishwashers. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:21. [PMID: 29441043 PMCID: PMC5797641 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms formed on rubber seals in dishwashers harbor diverse microbiota. In this study, we focussed on the microbial composition of bacteria and fungi, isolated from a defined area of one square centimeter of rubber from four domestic dishwashers and assessed their abilities to in vitro multispecies biofilm formation. A total of 80 isolates (64 bacterial and 16 fungal) were analyzed. Multiple combinations of bacterial isolates from each dishwasher were screened for synergistic interactions. 32 out of 140 tested (23%) four-species bacterial combinations displayed consistent synergism leading to an overall increase in biomass, in all experimental trails. Bacterial isolates from two of the four dishwashers generated a high number of synergistically interacting four-species consortia. Network based correlation analyses also showed higher co-occurrence patterns observed between bacterial members in the same two dishwasher samples, indicating cooperative effects. Furthermore, two synergistic four-species bacterial consortia were tested for their abilities to incorporate an opportunistic fungal pathogen, Exophiala dermatitidis and their establishment as biofilms on sterile ethylene propylene diene monomer M-class (EPDM) rubber and polypropylene (PP) surfaces. When the bacterial consortia included E. dermatitidis, the overall cell numbers of both bacteria and fungi increased and a substantial increase in biofilm biomass was observed. These results indicate a novel phenomenon of cross kingdom synergy in biofilm formation and these observations could have potential implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerneja Zupančič
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Prem K Raghupathi
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Laboratory of Hygiene and Technology, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kurt Houf
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Technology, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mette Burmølle
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren J Sørensen
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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19
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Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of the toluene degrading black yeast Cladophialophora immunda. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11436. [PMID: 28900256 PMCID: PMC5595782 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11807-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cladophialophora immunda is an ascomycotal species belonging to the group of the black yeasts. These fungi have a thick and melanized cell wall and other physiological adaptations that allows them to cope with several extreme physical and chemical conditions. Member of the group can colonize some of the most extremophilic environments on Earth. Cladophialophora immunda together with a few other species of the order Chaetothyriales show a special association with hydrocarbon polluted environments. The finding that the fungus is able to completely mineralize toluene makes it an interesting candidate for bioremediation purposes. The present study is the first transcriptomic investigation of a fungus grown in presence of toluene as sole carbon and energy source. We could observe the activation of genes involved in toluene degradatation and several stress response mechanisms which allowed the fungus to survive the toluene exposure. The thorough comparative genomics analysis allowed us to identify several events of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria and Cladophialophora immunda and unveil toluene degradation steps that were previously reported in bacteria. The work presented here aims to give new insights into the ecology of Cladophialophora immunda and its adaptation strategies to hydrocarbon polluted environments.
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